How To Make A Pokémon Game - Episode 1: Getting Started

Part 1: In this episode we look at what it takes to get started on making a Pokémon fangame with RPG Maker XP and Pokémon Essentials v20, as well as some of the basics!
Tutorial Links:
Tutorial Website: sites.google.com/view/thundag...
Download Pokemon Essentials and the Hotfixes: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
RPG Maker XP: www.rpgmakerweb.com/products/...
RPG Maker XP on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/23...
For even more Thundaga:
Play my games: sites.google.com/view/thundag...
Thundaga Discord: / discord
Thundaga Twitch: / thundagastream
Thundaga Tiktok: / thundagacam
This series will cover all the information necessary to make a Pokémon fangame using RPG Maker XP and Pokémon Essentials. Leave a comment if you have any questions or would like to see something done! Feedback is much appreciated.
#pokemon #tutorial #thundaga
0:00 Intro
0:30 RPG Maker XP
1:05 Downloading Pokemon Essentials + Hotfixes
4:26 Opening Pokemon Essentials
5:15 How to make a new map
7:05 The basics of map making
11:05 Edit our intro event
13:59 Important notes before playtesting
15:28 Playing our game!
16:15 Outro

[@Thundaga]

New Download Link for Pokemon Essentials + RC Resources (Don't forget to also download the Hotfixes!!!): docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_n2Tp1TIljLL1E-uBTzV6TTfDQzIxc58-8ZcvLI2LKM/edit#gid=233851590&range=A4 The Relic Castle website was taken down due to a DMCA claim on 3/21/24, and the community has been working on a backup for download links to Pokemon Essentials as well as the many great resources and plugins! Please use the link I've provided above in the meantime until further notice! Also please consider joining the following fangame discord servers for fangame community updates: Relic Castle Discord: discord.gg/reliccastle Thundaga Discord: discord.gg/BHm8vfTeTQ

[@YoBoyRona]

Thank you so much for sharing a new link so quickly (and all the videos as well)!

[@Kburnzzzzzzz]

god bless you 🙏

[@Shnep]

Looks like we’re getting a fresh new tutorial series. Might have to get back into working on a Pokémon project again!

[@semidz562]

Thought the same it's a sign

[@raulbrenes778]

@@semidz562 x3 xd

[@ssr8555]

@@semidz562 it’s the fact that I was just looking for a tutorial. It really is a sign

[@timt9625]

Same lol I guess it's about time I finally finish one

[@agoodsoulwhocares87]

A true sign is when you aren't looking & it appears with every answer you had never looked for but was presented to you automatically without asking or seeking, as a ponder in the very back of your mind, that's a *"TRUE SIGN"* truly. Different perspectives....

[@ssbNico]

Everyone who has dreamed about make a pokemon game, dont let this channel die ever. Thundaga was the for one of my best friends and I, we wanted to make a game for a group of friends, without Thundaga we never been able to complete de game or something. Much love for Thundaga, keep making this kind of videos, u help a lot

[@SuperCuteEspeonqueen]

Yeah.

[@Axiolux]

IT’S BAAAACCKKKK!!

[@thenuttah888]

I remember trying to follow the old tutorial back in lockdown. Didn't know what the hell I was doing and my laptop actually broke partway through. Randomly got the urge to try again and stumbling onto this new series made me super happy. You're amazing and I hope the rest of this guide is too.

[@lectricmydude3136]

If anyone is seeing this in 2024, XP is free until Feb 19 on Steam.

[@thefunnypie2806]

Hope I saw this sooner

[@PolMacro]

Same

[@Splashdavap]

I wished I saw this sooner

[@plant9333]

Same

[@Dracothecharmander-if7sh]

Its april☹️

[@NickTerry1]

I know it's a year later, but thank you for all of the hard work you put into these tutorials

[@inkdropruns3431]

The first tutorial series taught me so much, I'm excited to see it's getting an updated version! I made sure to give this a full watch for the algorithm and ended up learning a short cut I'd forgotten in the process lol. Thanks for all the hard work you do, Thundaga!

[@Voltseon]

You dropped this:👑

[@mysterymitry]

Oh hey a new tutorial series! I've been out of the loop for a while and I may no longer be interested in learning how to make my own fangame, but it's always nice to see a series like this get a reboot especially if there's new versions or new things going on. Keep on truckin'!

[@peytio]

Your original tutorial series is what helped me begin my first fan game. As I’m still working on it, I’m glad to see a revamp of the tutorials are in the works! Great stuff as always!

[@Kinshasa76]

I started making Pokemon fan games just a few months ago and your tutorials were an incredible help. I was wondering if you would update some of the old videos to reflect the changes in the new versions of Essentials, but you already did so much that I thought you'd stop here. It's a wonderful surprise to see you start a new series of tutorials, I'll be watching all of them religiously ! Thanks for all your efforts (and sorry for the probably bad english) !

[@roseremakes5305]

Currently working on a Pokemon open world that represents where the Pokemon would probably be found in real life. Takes place on Earth, with representation of real cities, towns, etc... All gens up to 9. Kind of just starting it, and I am using this tutorial for guidance to get started. Thank you so much for updating the playlist for v20 :)

[@ave789]

Hey, wondering how you're getting on with this! Sounds like a fantastic idea :)

[@roseremakes5305]

@@ave789 Pretty well. It is coming along nicely. Have the map and the Pokemon entries / sprites. Using boxes for placements of stuff. Incredibly complex, but kinda working on one town and playing as I go. Probably will show it off when it is "playable" on KZbin.

[@NotCarnaage]

@@roseremakes5305 is there any other social media you are updating this project on? (:

[@roseremakes5305]

@@NotCarnaage Not as of right now. I want to get a somewhat decent of a playable game going first before I throw it onto KZbin. Why, are there any additional platforms that I can look into?

[@kamikoto1558]

@@roseremakes5305 any updates?

[@Jos_Louis]

So glad Thundaga is rebooting the series in v20. There's been so many changes that unfortunately a lot of the material in the old tutorials no longer apply! Your tutorial series in v17.2 helped me make my first game by myself (Pokemon Soulstones), Thundaga! If it weren't for your videos, I would have never gone down the path of making a Pokemon fangame that has over 35000 downloads and 3000 discord members. Hopefully you rebooting the series will help me learn something as I work on the sequel in v20.1 and many other budding developers!

[@juliajohansson2665]

What is your game called? :)

[@vengelol]

@@juliajohansson2665 pokemon soulstones

[@Maartwo]

What sort of stuff does no longer apply? Are certain processes easier to do?

[@MicahGamez]

BRO I LOVE POKEMON SOULSTONES

[@TechGamerExpert]

BRO U MADE SOULSTONES? I LOVE THAT

[@isak5263]

The legend has returned, I have been putting off work on my game just so I can hear it from you, you make the whole process so simple

[@TJ-qm7lj]

I had been debating getting back into this after having followed your guide from years ago, but a few things have changed. Guess this is a sign to jump back in! Thanks for all the cool stuff you make!

[@JacobWineberg]

I was inspired to make my own game by your original series, I just started last week and discovered your new updated series this week. So awesome

[@ryssi8467]

love love love it. I could never get through the OG series but I think this is the boost I need to finally finish my game😭excited to see an update!!

[@Zaltiz]

Just want to give a premature thank you! I'm planning on starting to make a Pokemon fan game once my classes end for this semester and I'm sure this tutorial series and the older one you made will help me a lot.

[@moustafa2253]

Thank you for making a updated series. I've looking forward to this for such a long time. Thank you.

[@galxeviv9576]

Honestly a needed remake to getting started. I started making games from your tutorials 3 yrs back and I bet this vid will help new comers really well!

[@DaveF]

This is the best tutorial I've ever watched, and I've watched many in my life. You manage to be both extremely clear and somehow entertaining. Would literally watch these for fun while on the treadmill or something lol

[@wildchameleon7622]

hell yeah Thundaga! I'm two years into my fan game and it's looking excellent. I appreciate the update!

[@amransom26]

Thank goodness, I’ve always hoped you’d one day start over with this series. So much has changed and I’m very rusty, this is a great opportunity for me to relearn all of this.

[@laminateshark91]

ahhh a nice fresh reboot on the series! I remember finding your channel 4 years ago and I gotta say you really inspired me a lot! Can't wait to see more!

[@randomguy-iu6mh]

Thanks for making this tutorial! I'm just starting to make my first fangame, so this new series came out at the perfect time for me. I'll be watching all of these!

[@jessicaschoonen5923]

Oh my! I was literally watching one of your tutorial video’s yesterday and hoping you will upload new tutorials. I’ve been watching some of your streams and let’s plays of the jam games. Good to see you back at the essentials tutorials again! Can’t wait to learn more!

[@BananaTanks]

So happy to see the tutorial series rebooted 😀 One thing I wish was in the previous series is a visible mouse showing mouse clicks on the screen. I found myself having to rewatch a lot of episodes (especially later on in the series) to remind myself how simple things are done 😅 Look forward to joining you on stream some day with a completed project! Thanks for all your work ❤

[@oldmarjin]

Started making a Pokemon game half a year ago thanks to your video's, i am still creating the same game, i am happy to see you make a new tutorial series since some things are outdated. can't wait to look at your content :)

[@Mettie7]

Thank you for doing this new series! It's just the motivation I need to start on a game!

[@nameunknown8441]

Finally a new tutorial series! The series just stopped in episode 80 or so, so it's nice that its coming back after so long.

[@crimsonhawk52]

Well this is exciting! I started at the beginning of August, having never even used RMXP before. Just released the first episode of my fangame yesterday to my friends and they LOVE it! Thank you for all you do, man

[@Gamenerd_the_first]

As someone who has been recently invigorated to take a hack at making a fakemon reigon myself these videos are going to be a lifesaver! I love creators like you who put their time and effort into making other people's lives a lot nicer. Instant sub!

[@domm8120]

Let's go! Thanks for the new tutorials, I miss your old ones

[@kingofallfoods6061]

thank you so much for making these tutorials! i've found them incredibly helpful and working on my own game has been a blast!

[@fireboltpt]

As someone who wants to do his own thing with this. I can't wait for the rest of this tutorial. And this is a good start.

[@felipeantelo3492]

Just got into the RPG Maker world and your tutorials are really great! Keep up the awesome work!!!

[@blazequakes]

The basics that i've gotten down but very helpful to know for beginners and so nice to know that the tutorials are coming back

[@sethjensen3393]

Alright! I was looking forward to this reboot! Thanks a ton Thundaga!

[@supersaiyaneevee1573]

Yes! So looking forward to this updated series!

[@thebigguy270]

Awesome! Pokemon Essentials has changed so much the old tutorials couldn't keep up. I'm glad there are new ones!

[@notnoahgamez9188]

Awe yay! I’m so glad your remaking this!! I loved you old videos and they have helped me out so much and now I’m going to start working on my old project now!

[@2goofsgaming875]

love to see a new tutorial series featuring all the new stuff in v20.1! id hope quite a bit is refreshed and new while also staying true to previous versions

[@TooFast4uzz]

It's here! Thank you so much Thundaga!

[@averytubestudios]

Welcome to the reboot. This series helped countless developers get the hang of Essentials, let’s hope it does the same.

[@Sfx654]

i can't even imagine the world where every programming tutorial looks like this. at first i thought the video will be about designing the rpg system or another theoretical stuff but i still watched it. probably enjoyed it even more

[@kamikoto1558]

niiiice a fresh series. spent an hour trying to transfer my stuff from a few years ago to my new PC but the PC it was on was so slow I gave up. I also though that a lot of things would have been updated so I may as well start from scratch (didn't have much anyway) and I go to your channel to see a new series. love it.

[@Starrcasm]

love the reboot tutorial series! excited to follow along and reup knowledge on the basics :D

[@RegiRobShot]

Holy moly, you've got a very clear presentation style. Just found your channel today and you absolutely deserve more subscribers!

[@shiro-chan1856]

let's goooooo

[@anthony3728]

I very very very rarely leave comments on youtube, but I have to say, you are an absolute legend. Ive always wanted to make my own pokemon game, im so excited, thank you for all your dedication and hard work. There are thousands of people who appreciate everything youre doing, keep it up

[@dalebarrs297]

So funny to see this in my suggested, in the middle of starting my first fan game via the first tutorial series so you just earned a sub from me my friend. Thank you so much!

[@derlehmann7814]

Wow, big props to you for taking your time and doing such an amazing tutorial AGAIN :D You are the man!

[@loganw7423]

Comparing this tutorial to your old tutorial is night and day and really shows how much experience you’ve gained over these last 6 years! Though I’ll miss the “Oooo Crash Bandicoot” line from the first tutorial just a little

[@Wykes]

Super excited to follow this updated series

[@GDMaxiking]

I've waited so long for a new reboot of this tutorial series! There were so many updates to essentials & and I didn't rly want to begin developing a game (as a complete beginner) without a recently update tutorial series Thank you so much!

[@SuperCuteEspeonqueen]

I'm making my own Pokemon game now so far my main issue trying to fix this synatx error with the title screen.

[@alexjung9724]

I love your videos thundaga. Thanks for bringing this back

[@leonwallentin3714]

Really nice video! Nice and really detailed explanations of everything! Going to follow this series and hopefully are able to make my own game.

[@sphorple]

I remember watching the old series and I am feeling quite nostalgic right now.

[@orangeboi9471]

Please please please continue this series, I watched every video you posted on the last series and I'm dying to make a gave in v20! Can't wait to see what else is in store for this reboot! :)

[@iridescent7816]

Thank goodness, I finally found an easy to understand, _recent_ tutorial! I'm excited to learn~

[@mysteriousremnant9738]

I've been waiting for this since the last update! Super hyped.

[@kag2576]

How did I not see u made this😂. Ur tutorials have always been outstanding, hopefully this will generate new passion to work on my own essentials project

[@hectoralcantara5176]

This was a childhood dream of mine, thanks for sharing!

[@amayrali2239]

Let's goooooo it's back!

[@MrPiepschuim]

I've been playing Pokemon Reborn and discovered how good such pokemon fangames can be. Just for fun I'll try my hand at making one myself. You've got yourself a subscriber! This looks great

[@whatifgaming1661]

This doesnt seem nearly as overwhelming as i thought. Your calm demenor helps when i get anxious about how hard making a game could be

[@garcia8192]

Thanks for the tutorial and games, love this pokemon fan games, came here after playing bushido, what a great game, good job

[@TeaquestSagas]

Having a creative itch to try the pokemon mods again so this will be real helpful considering I last used them somewhat 10 years ago. Thanks for the high quality and detailed tutorial(s)!

[@gotchu8499]

Extremely well detailed and explained. Defenetly deserved a Like and a Sub. Thank you so much and I hope to see even more of this!

[@randomchiz]

The reboot we've all been waiting for! I hope we get into making custom weather this time... since the weather episode implied we'd do custom ones later, but it never happened.

[@medicinaljutland1133]

You are so underated man! Love the Channel, ive been thinking of starting game making, and This is a very simple Way to make some cool Pokemon projects!

[@FrankSantoriello]

Did I anticipate that I would be making a pokemon game a week ago? No, but I have a hyperfixation, and so I'm very glad to have found this tutorial! Thank you for making this! (Let's hope I can stay dedicated to my personal project.)

[@kilothi8360]

Did you stay dedicated?

[@FrankSantoriello]

@@kilothi8360 For quite a while I did, but I haven't been working on it these last two months honestly. Even still I think I put 200 hours into it. I'll probably start a new project when I return though, now that I know more.

[@jkip974]

King! Thanks for revisiting your old tutorials!

[@crunchplayz2705]

I have been waiting for this!

[@Devildoginvu]

I literally just started learning yesterday using your older tutorials. I can’t say this enough But thank you for updating lol

[@giovanni8233]

I was waiting for this to be released!!

[@popilikitt5173]

Really amazing thank you so much for all the efforts you put into this !!

[@DoggoDoesStuff]

this is amazing, thank you! I'm going to work on my game right now.

[@angethemessagernoname8961]

rpg maker tutorials are back ?! YAYYYYY i was waiting for that

[@pseven6167]

Thanks! Wait for next episode!

[@delanipopstar]

Literally bless you for this series...

[@adibrahman3321]

Wow this guy making the pokmeon series again i remember he made one like 6 years ago it was soo good and well explained

[@alpal7677]

I love how this is tutorial 1 and I still learned a lot of stuff XD

[@Dingysteeze69]

Thank for the breakdown! Very useful!

[@Sleepy_pug]

thanks for the video this has been super helpful with dipping my toes into making fangames

[@Spaloooshify]

The video series we've all been waiting for the return of!

[@michaelmirza1933]

MY BOOOOOYYY IVE BEEN WAITING!!! 🎉❤

[@ibimsdennis3628]

omg i love it a fresh new tutorial series

[@niklashauser3631]

OMG, I'm in heaven now! I am so hyped for this!

[@WouldYouRatherGalaxy]

I think would seriously be the greatest custom Pokemon game ever is to have all current Pokemon maps combined similar to Johto and Kanto regions (personal favorite Pokemon gold & silver) and call it Pokemon forever

[@enderjed2523]

Great to see this return!

[@doctorcatster8751]

cant wait until part 2!

[@serve1643]

Good video man keep on doing these! I really want to make my dream game and share it with the world and this will help me a lot

[@ajyoutube4562]

Watching this really made coding my rom hack much simpler. Thanks😃

[@pre-viewtv8903]

please continue this you help alot of aspiring pokemon creators

[@yashamaruism]

GAMERS!!!!! so hyped for the new tutorials.

[@theocedillo7515]

Thanks for your videos! Your one of the few people covering this well

[@remryukcreepy]

This might be a weird compliment but you have a great tutorial voice, and this is a great tutorial to boot Rpg maker and essentials can feel overwhelming and having someone patiently explain things in depth and not sounding condescending when saying obvious stuff like "you can Ctrl Z to undo" while also not making it boring makes it really easy to digest information

[@Krakerwat]

I was wondering if you were gonna reboot this tutorial series, the old one is so outdated so it's great you're bringing this back